Thread: 9 arrested in pot smuggling attempt in Carlsbad

9 arrested in pot smuggling attempt in Carlsbad


Written by
Kristina Davis
3:15 p.m., Nov. 22, 2012

CARLSBAD — Authorities chased a panga boat up and down the North County coast for about an hour Thursday morning before seizing 2,500 pounds of marijuana and arresting nine people, police and Border Patrol officials said.

The boat was spotted near the San Elijo State Beach campground off the Encinitas shore about 1:35 a.m., Carlsbad police said.

A Border Patrol helicopter chased the boat as it went back and forth, from Ponto Beach in Carlsbad to Swamis in Encinitas, finally coming ashore near the Encina Power Station in Carlsbad at 2:30 a.m.

Two Mexican nationals were arrested from the boat, and 2,500 pounds of marijuana were found aboard, said Border Patrol spokesman Jerry Conlin. Another seven people who were on land nearby were also arrested and appear to be connected to the drug-smuggling incident, Conlin said.

The boat and a Ford F-150 pickup were also seized.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/nov/22/9-arrested-in-pot-smuggling-attempt-in-carlsbad/

Saw this reported on the news tonight. Sure a lot of panga boats out in our ocean nowadays. Makes you wonder how many land successfully, probably plenty.